China fires missile in warning to US

China has fired two missiles_ including one dubbed an "aircraft-carrier killer"_ into the South China Sea_ according to a news report_ in a pointed warning to the United States as tensions in the disputed sea lane rise to new levels. The South China Morning Post reported on Thursday that Beijing fired one intermediate-range ballistic missile_ DF-26B_ from Qinghai province and another medium-range ballistic missile_ DF-21D_ from Zhejiang province on Wednesday in response to US aerial activities in a "no-fly zone". In response_ Mark Esper_ the US defence chief_ said China has repeatedly fallen short of promises to abide by international laws_ noting China seems to be flexing its muscles the most in Southeast Asia. The two missiles were reportedly fired in the direction of the area between Hainan province and the disputed Paracel Islands_ the Hong Kong-based publication added_ quoting an unnamed source. According to the newspaper_ a US U-2 spy plane had reportedly entered a Chinese-designated "no-fly zone" on Tuesday without permission during a live-fire naval drill conducted by China in the Bohai Sea off its north coast. Zhao Lijian_ China's foreign ministry spokesman_ described the spy plane overflight as "provocative actions" and urged the US to stop. China's military will neither "dance to the tune of the US" nor allow the United States to "cause trouble"_ defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday. Amid rising tensions between both militaries_ he said China hopes the United States can take practical measures to create a "positive atmosphere" for high-level exchanges between their two militaries. The DF-26B missile_ which was formally launched earlier this month_ is capable of hitting moving targets at sea_ making it an "aircraft-carrier killer"_ according to the state-owned Global Times.